La Croix de Beaucaillou 2014

The 2014 La Croix de Beaucaillou has enjoyed a purple patch in recent vintages. The nose on the 2014 appeared to have closed down after bottling, but the quality is still tangible, almost sedate, but exquisitely defined tertiary red berry fruit gradually opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and energetic, very focused with superb mineralité. There is just a mote of hardness and rigidity on the finish, but that will be abraded by bottle age (and this is one Deuxième Vin that benefits from bottle maturity). Drink Date 2021-2040

Extremely aromatic with crushed-raspberry and plum character. Sweet tobacco, too. Hints of wet earth and dried mushrooms. Medium to full body, silky and racy tannins and an oyster-shell and iodine finish. A beauty. Drink in 2019.

Mid crimson. Very fragrant and polished with freshness and a strong savoury edge. Some tobacco leaves. Meaty and yet with enough juice and well-controlled acidity. A little tough on the end now but good acid/fruit balance. 13.25%Drink 2023-2035

This unfurls a lovely beam of lush raspberry preserves and cassis, backed by velvety structure. Ends with enticing warm fruitcake and melted red licorice notes. This has a bit of flash and should be approachable on the earlier side. Best from 2019 through 2026.